Apparatus for mounting and dismounting tubes and gaskets.



PATENTED JULY 28, 1908.

lJ. MERRITT. A APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING TUBES AND GASKETS.

APPLICATION FILED DBC.29, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

@Tese 71 JM@ Il mwlin..

No. 894,221. PATENTED JULY 28, 1908. J. MERRITT.

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING TUBES AND GASKETS.

APPLICATION FILED M1029, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inl/emile 71 d m Joqeph Merr'f UNITED smiles 'PATENT Finca.

JOSEPH MERRITT, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR- OF ONE-HALF TO BEECH-NUT PACKING COMPANY, OF CANAJOHARIE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OFNEW YORK, ANI) ONE-FOURTH TO WILLIAM A. LORENZ AND ONE-FOURTH TO WILLIAMI H. HONISS, BOTH OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

APPARATUS'FOR MUNTING AND DISMOUNTING TUBES AND GAsKETs.

iva-894,221.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it `known that I, JOSEPH MERRIT'T, a citizen of the United States, and resident vof Hartford, in the county of Hartford land State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus a vehicle for mounting the tubes upon the` mandrel of Fig-3, and for dismounting it paratus.

for Mounting and Dismounting Tubes and Gaskets, of which the following is a full, clear and exactvspecification. This invention relates to improved apparatus for the handling of flexible tubes and flexible gaskets. l

The embodiment of this invention herein shown and described is particularlyadapted for use in the manufacture of rubber gaskets to be employed in the hermetic sealing of cans, jars, 'and other receptacles commonly employed for the-packing of food products.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a' plan view in 'reduced scale of this improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a side view partly in section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view of a form of mandrel adapted for use in this ap- Fig. 4 isa side view of a sleeve, preferably made of flexible and elastic material, ,employed as a lining for the gasket tubes during the cutting operation, and serving as therefrom after it has been cut into gaskets. Fig. 5 is a side view of a tube of gasket-material adapted for use in connection with the sleeve orlining shown in Fig. 4, and with the mandrel shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is aside `'view in enlarged scale, and1 in section'taken through its longitudinal center, 'of the inflating nozzle shown in Fig. 2. In this view the telescoping portion of' the nozzle is shown 'in its extended position. Fig, 7 is a similar view of portions of the nozzle of Fig. 6, showing it in the position which it occupies in delivering a sleeve and a tube of gasket material to a mandrel like that of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a side viewin reduced scale, of the inflating nozzle, sleeve, gasket, mandrel and support of the previous figures, lshowing them in position ready for the inflating and pushing on 1 operation.d Fi 9 is a view similar to that mandrel.

of Fig. 8, but s owing the parts in the position occupied by them in delivering the sleeve andtube in final position upon the In Figs. 8 and 9 some portions of the parts are shown in section taken through.

` Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 29, 1906. Serial No. 349,963.

. Patented July 2s, 190s.

view, and Fig. 11 a side view` of the mandrel of the preceding figures,'with' a sleeve and gasket' mounted thereon, and with the tube separated into gaskets. side views,4 illustrating the operation of relmoving the sleeve with its cut gaskets thereon from the mandrel. In Fig. 12 the sleeve andgaskets are'- drawn part way from the mandrel and in Fig. 13 they are shown as being fully withdrawn therefrom. Fig, 14 is an end view, showing the vassembledsleeve and tube, and showing how the pilot member of the 'inflating nozzle may be utilized in entering the nozzle in the collapsed tube.

This improved apparatus herein shown e and described is adapted to perform an intermediate operation in the manufacture of rubber gaskets from tubes of gasket material,

like the tube 14 shown in the figures. By the methods of manufacture to which the present invention relates, these tubes are mounted upon mandrels which are 'then mounted for rotation .upon centers or upon a spindle while the gaskets are cut from the tube by a succession of circumferential cuts penetrating-the wall of the tube, either at their longitudinal center. Fig.` 10 is an end v Figs. 12 and 13 are right langles .with its axis, when making gaskets having a rectangularcross-section, or at an angle with that `axis in making acute angled gaskets; The constrictive action of the tube due to its elasticity is utilized by pushing or pulling .it over a mandrel of a diameter larger than the normal diameter of the tube. This mounting operation involves obvious difhculties, due to the flexible elastic and clinging. character of the gasket material. The constrictive action of the tube around the mandrel surface interferes withk the free 4distribution of the material and holds it in a .terial more or less unequally changes its form as the strains are released by the cutting away of the successive rings, thereby producing gaskets that are irregular in size or contour. Moreover, on account'of the clinging and elastic characterl of the gasketfmaterial, it is'necessary to have the gasket cutting tool, which is extremely thin and sharp, entirely penetrate the wall of the tube in order to in- .sure complete separat-ion of all the gaskets,

thus bringing the cutting edge of the tool against or into the surface o f the mandrel, and the repeated cuts of the tool score and roughen that surface, thereby increasing the difficulty of drawing or pushing or otherwise mounting the gasket tubes thereon. This roughness, and the clinging character of the gasket material, also interfere materially with the expeditious removal of the cut rings from the mandrel. Any attempt to remove the cut gaskets Wholesale or several at a time from the mandrel is resisted\by the clinging action of the several gaskets, cach acting independently; and their. resistance is still greater when of the acute angled form shown herein, because ofthe fact that their interlapping conical faces tend to telescope and wedge each other when attempts are made to push them longitudinally of the material.

The met od of manufacture to which the apparatus ofthe present invention is adj un'ctlve, avoids these difficulties by employing a flexible sleeve o1' lining, which is made removable from the mandrel, andserves as a vehicle for the tube and the cut gaskets.

The tube and its sleeve are first assembled apart from the mandrel, preferably by a paratus, which however, forms no part o the present invention. Then the removable tube and itssleeve are eX anded andsettled uniformlyupon the man rel by the appara- Then the tubes are separated into gaskets by still other a paratus. Then the sleeves with the out gasiietsthereon are bodily removed from the mandrel, by the use of the apparatus of the present invention. Then-the out gaskets are removedfrom the sleeve, the latter being preferably collapsed to .release the gaskets.

The various parts of the present apparatus vare herein shown as being mountedzupon a base late 5, which is provided lwith suitable stan ards or posts for receiving and supportshoulder 10 to receive and locate the end of ing the various parts atthe desired height, according to the lengths of the tubes to b'e cut; and to suit the height of the operator. The mandrel support is preferably made in two pieces to facilitate removal or adjustment, or the substitution of other supports for different sizes or lengths of mandrels. The base portion 6 of the support is preferably threaded to receive the upper portion 7, which is of a size suitable for receiving the mandrels 8, as shown in Figs. 8 and 12. The

vmandrel support is preferably provided With.

a washer or collar 9 of rubber or other soft material, to enable the mandrel 8 to be dropped in place on the support without bruising the parts, and to serve also as a gasket to prevent the escape of the air vpressure through the inside of hollow mandrels. Themandrel 8 is preferably made with a the sleeve or lining 13 for the gasket tubes sup ortwhen assembled occupy the relative posltions shown in Fig. 9

The sizes of the asket tube, sleeve and mandrel may and s ould be varied to suit different conditions, the relative sizes shown herein being those which I have found to be effective for high grade rubber gaskets.

In the use of the resent a paratus, the assembled gasket tube and sl) panded by inflation to a size which ermits them to pass upon the mandrel 8.' (gne end of the sleeve, with the tube mounted thereon .is closed by slipping it upon the upper end of the mandrel, as shown 1n Flg. 7. The up er end of the sleeve, which is referably beve ed as at 41, is similarly closed) iating nozzle connected with a sup ly of air pressure. In the present preferredpembodiment asherein shown, the inilating nozzle is portable iti-the sense that itlcan be freely moved about by the operator, being provided with a handle and made light and con-v venient in form for handling. The nozzle is provided with a flexible tube 16, attached by means of a union joint or coupling 17, or in any well-known way. The other end of the tube 17 is connected with the tubular standard 18, which is supported b the base plate 5; and is provided w1th the in et 19, by means of which a constant supply of air pressure is conveyed throughthe interior of the standard and the flexible pipe 16 to the inlating nozzle'.

In order to'enable the operator to shut off and turn on the air pressure whenever desired, a valve is provided in any convenient ortion of the apparatus. In thespresent mstance the valve 21, which may. be of well-known construction, is located near the top of thetubular standard 18. Valves of thls class are held in a closed position by the internal pressure, aided if necessary by an` internal spring; and are opened by means of a valve stem22. In the present instances this stem is operated by means of a connecting rod 23', extending to a treadle 24, mounted upon thebase plate 5, in convenient relation to the foot of the operator. A spring 25 is also preferably `employed to over-balance and return the treadle and lower the .rod 23 away from the valve stem, to permit the lvalve to closepromptly.

As shown in Fig. 2, the standard 18 is provided withan adjustable bracket 28, for supporting the nozzle between the inflatingoperations. The adjustment of the bracket 28 permits the nozzle to be supported on any side of the standard, 6r' at any height that may be most convenient for theope'rator.

The iniiating nozzle as herein shown is provided witha handle 30, which is preferably central over the main body of the nozzle, so

. as t0 balance the tool conveniently for han- The thin nozzle is also provided with diing. a thm annular lip 33, the outside of which y means of an informs a receiving seat 31 for the upper ends of the sleeves. The inner diameter of the lip is slightly larger than the mandrel 8, so that it will slip freelyover the mandrel and leave an annular space 36 for the air to enter between the sleeve andthe mandrel. The lip 33 is thin, so asto enter readily between the mandrel and the sleeve, as shown in Figs. 7 and 9 in delivering the end of the sleeve upon 10 the mandrel, and more especially in removing the sleeve from the mandrel. The seat 31 preferably terminates in a shoulder 32, which serves when required, to prevent the end of the sleeve from pushing too far upon the nozzle.

To facilitate enterin the nozzle in the upper end of the collapse or contracted sleeves 13, the nozzle is preferably provided with a conical entering member 34, which is pref- 23 erably made separate from the portion containing the seat 31 andv is mounted for telescoping movement inside of the seat or annular lip 33, as best shown in Fi s. 6 and 9, in order to get the entering mem er out of the `25 way of the end of the mandrel, and enable the nozzle to deliver the sleeve and gasket tube fully to its desiredplace upon the mandrel, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 9. A

The inlating nozzle is rovidedwith suitable air outlets, lherein siown to consist of the apertures 35, located in the conical portion of the entering member 34, and of the annular space 42 around that member and between it and the body portion of the nozzle inside of which it slides in its telescoping movement, asV best shown by Figs. v6 and 7. rlhese outlets should be located where they are not covered by the sleeve or by the mandrel at any portion of the operation; and

should be so located relative to the end of the mandrel when in the position shown in Fig. 9

as to direct the flow of air between the Aoutside of the mandreland the inside of the sleeve through the annular space 36. To facilitate guiding the nozzle into proper central relation to-the end of the mandrel as the nozzle 'and the mandrel approach the position shown in Figs. 7 and 9, and while separating from that position as shown in y Fig. 12, the inflating nozzle is provided with which is seated against the handle portion of I the nozzle. The pilot member 37 also serves as a convenient means of engagement with the supporting bracket 28, as shown in Fig. 2. The-sleeve '13 is preferably made somewhat ypanded by inflation, so that it will from frictional contact between the sleeve longerthan the tube, as shown by comparison of Figs. 4 and 5. This leaves the ends of the sleeve more free and iiexible for the mounting and dismounting operations and also leaves a margin beyond the end of the tube, to allow of variations in placing the successive tubes upon the sleeve.

The operation of this device in mounting a gasket tube like the tube 14 and a sleeve like the sleeve 13 upon a mandrel like the 75 mandrel 8 is -as follows The tube and its sleeve are first assembled with the sleeve inside of the tube, preferably by contracting, ceiling, twisting, or otherwise collapsing the sleeve, so that it will readily pass inside of the tube. The mandrel 8 is placed upon its support 7 with its lower end resting upon the cushioning gasket-collar 9. The lower end of the sleeve is then, stretched over the upper end of the mandrel 8; and the inflating noz- 85 zle is inserted in the upper end of thel tube, as shown in Fig. 8, thus closing both ends of the sleeve'. Air' pressure-is now admitted throughthe nozzle and passing through the discharge openings 35 or 42, or both of them, e0 to the interior of the sleeve, the latter is exass freely over the mandrel 8, upon which 1t is then pushed by a following movement of the inliating nozzle. The compressed air escaping between the sleeve and the mandrel assists in the mounting operation byinterposing a separating iilm of air, thus avoiding thel holding back influence that@ would result andthe mandrel. As the upper end of the tube approaches the end of the mandrel, its pilot end 37 enters the mandrel or the mandrel support, as the case may be, thus guiding and centering the inflating tool and theV sleeve with the mandrel, so as to center the upper end of the sleeve', and particularlyl the annular lip 33 with the mandrel. Still nearer the end of the stroke the conical surface of the entering member 34 seats against the upper end of the mandrel or the mandrel support. Then begins the telescopin'g movement of the conical member from the position shown in Fig.v 6 to that shown in Fig. 7, which permits thev annular lip 33 of the nozzle, carrying the upper end of the sleeve, to continue its downward movement over the -end of the mandrel, so as to deliver the end of the tube and sleeve entirely upon the mandrel, to the position shown in Figs. 7 and 9. The air pressure is then shut 0H from the inflating nozzle, and thel latteris withdrawn from the end of the tube, the spring 39 serving then to extend the nozzle, slidingl the telescoping member 34 to its extended position shown in Fig. 6. The mandrel, with the sleeve Vand gasket mounted thereon, may then be removed from the support 7 and be placed in any suitable-.apparatus for cutting the gasket tube into gaskets of the required ,130

that the thin annular lip of the nozzle will enter between the sleeve and they mandrel.

Air pressure is then admitted, thereby again inflating the sleeve and expanding it enough to enab e it to be removed bodily from t e mandrel, carrying the cut gaskets with it, as

shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The inflating nozzle is then removed., and the sleeve 13 contracted or collapsed, Which releases the gaskets so that they may be readily removed, or may be dropped oil in a heap by turningthe sleeve on end.

The shoulder 32 above the seat portion is "not considered essential, although it may sometimes be useful in preventing the end of a sleeve from sliding upwardly too far upon the nozzle. In general, it will be found advisable for the operator to clasp the u er end of his tube with his hand, so as to hol it tightlyagainst its seat on the inflatin(y tool and prevent the escape of air at that en ,p and particularly so when withdrawing the tube as shown in Fig. 12, so as to avoid Withdrawing the nozzle from the sleeve before the lat-l ter is free from the mandrel.

.In Fig. 1 4 is shown a tube and sleeve assembled ready for thev inflating .o eration,

and illustrating hoW the pilot mem er 34 of the inflating nozzle may be utilized in enter- .sleeves 0r tubes of flexi le material.

ingthe nozzle in the collapsed sleeve, preliminary to the inflating operation.

Althou h this apparatus is herein shown andy described as being applied to the manufacture of gaskets itis obvious that it ma 4also be employed for other urposes Whic or ismounting of The ap-` paratus may be modified in many Ways both in general and in detail, to adapt it to different purposes. lFor example, the nozzle may be madeto center in the mandrel itself, instead of centering in the' support. The form and locationof the air'controllin valve may also be changed in many'fways. or example, .a valve'of suitable .form'maybe lo'- cated inthe inflating nozzle itself; and be operated by the finger or thumb of the operator, instead of being loperated by the' foot. The various members .of the apparatus may also'be altered in relative-position and may be reversed or inverted-or'ex'tend horiinvolve the mountin zontally instead of vertically.' In many other Ways which Will suggest themselves to .those ufamiliar with this art, the apparatus may be modified to suit different purposes. i

"1. Thev com inventionz---Id u. n 4 mation in apparatus for mounting flexible tubes on a mandrel, ofal I claim as my flexible sleeve and a portable inflating nozzle having a' flexible connection with a supply of air pressure.

2. The combination in apparatus for mountin .flexible tubes on a mandrel, of a flexible sIeeve, a mandrel support and a portable inflating nozzle connected by a flexible tube with a supply of air pressure.

3. The combination in apparatus for mounting flexible tubes on mandrels, of'a flexible sleeve," a mandrel support, a portable inflating nozzle having a flexible con- Y 5. The combination in apparatus formounting flexible tubes on mandrels, of means for supporting dierent` mandrels, a flexible sleeve, an inflating'nozzle having a sure, a valve for admitting the air pressure through the nozzle under the control of the operator, and adjustable'means for supporting the Iinflating nozzle in convenient relation to the operator.

-6. The combination' in' apparatus for mounting flexible tubes on mandrels, of means for supporting a mandrel, aflexible sleeve, a manually operated inflating nozzle flexible connection With a supply of air presconnected With a supply of air pressure, and a mission of air through the nozzle. 7. The. combination in.. apparatusl for mounting flexible tubes on mandrels, of means for supporting a'succession'of mandrels foot operated valve for controllingv the adin osition for receiving the tubes, a portable in ating nozzle connected by means of a' flexible tube With a supply of air pressure, a valve for admitting the air."v` ressure through the nozzle under the contro of the operator, and

` an adjustable support for holding the inflating nozzle in convenient relation to the operator. 1

'8. In apparatus for inflating 'tubes the combination of an inflating nozzle havin a conical nose to facilitate entering the tu e, rovided with air pressure outlets in its conical surface connected With a supplyof air pressure. f 9. In apparatus for inflating flexible tubes, the combination of an inflating nozzle, providedwith atapering portion to facilitate entrance into the tube, andwitli an annular lip to receive' the end of the tube thus entered. 10. In apparatus for inflatingflexible tubes, the combination of an inflating nozzle,

provided with a conical portion to facilitate.

I entering the tubes, and with a substantially parallel portion for receiving the ends of the tubes thus entered, the conical portion bein mounted to telescope'within the said paralle portion.

11. In 'apparatus for inflating tubes, the combination of an inflating nozzle provided with a tapering portion for. entering the tube, and with a` substantially parallel portion for receiving the ends of the tubes thus entered, the tapering ortion being mounted to` telescopelongituinally within the said parallel portion, and a spring for yieldingly holding'the telescoping members in their extended position,

12. In apparatus for inflating flexible tubes, the combination of an infiating nozzle,

provided with a taplering portion for enterin the tube, and wit a substantially .paralle portion for receiving the ends oflv the tubes thus entered, the ta ering portion,` being mounted to telescope Ilongitudinally llwithin the said arallel portion, a spring forge yieldingly holding the teleseoping members in their extended position, and a stop for limitrpg the extension of' the telescoping memers.

13. In apparatus for mounting flexible tubes upon mandrels the combination of an inflating nozzle, having a ta ering portion,

for entering the tube, and a pi ot portion extending in advance of the said tapering portion for entering the mandrel to guide the nozzle centrally with the mandrel.

14. In apparatus for vmounting iiexible tubes on mandrels, the combination of a mandrel support, an infiating nozzle for receivin and substantially closing one end of the tube, andr means for centering the nozzle with the mandrel as these two members approach each other.

15. In apparatus for mounting flexible tubes u on mandrels the combination of a mandre Vsup ort, a flexible sleeve, an inflating nozzle or receiving and substantially closing one end of the sleeve, and means for centering the nozzle with the mandrel, as these two members approach each other.

16. In apparatus formounting flexible tubes on mandrels, the combination of a mandrel support, an inflating nozzle provided with means for receiving and substantiall closing the -end of the tube and having a gi ot portion projecting in. advance of the in a tion outlets of the nozzle for centering the nozzle with the mandrel support, as these two members approachfeach other.

17. In apparatus for mounting flexible tubes u on mandrels, the combination vof a mandre support, an inflating nozzle having 'an annular lip for receiving the end of the tube and provided with a conical guiding portion in advance of the said lip.

18. In apparatus for mounting flexible tubes upon mandrels, the combination with flexible i a mandrel support, of an inflating nozzle l rovided with a seat for receiving the end o they tube, and having a conical guiding .portion mounted tol telescope within the said seat, and having a spring for yieldingly holding the telescoping uiding portion in its extended position in a( vance of said seat.

19. In apparatus for mounting flexible tubes upon mandrels, the combination with a mandre of an inflating nozzle having a receiving seat for the lend of the tube, and hav- 'ing a conical guiding member. mounted for telescopgingl movement Within the said seat, a pilot portion projecting b'eyond the conical entering member, and a spring for yieldingly L holding the conical entering member in its extended position.

20. In apparatus for mounting iiexible tubes upon mandrels, the combination with a mandrel for .entering and substantially closing oneend of the tube, of an inflating nozzle provided with a receiving seat for receiving the opposite end of the tube, and with a pilot portion for guiding the nozzle in cen-A tral relation to the mandrel, as the nozzle and the mandrel approach each other, a conical entering member mounted u on the pilot for telescoping movement within the receiving seat, and a spring for normally holding the said entering portion in its extended position.

21.l In apparatus for mounting flexible tubes upon mandrels, the combination with a mandrel for entering and substantially closing one end ofthe tube, of an inating nozzle provided with a receiving seat for receiving the opposite end of the tube, and with a pilot portion for guiding the nozzle in central relation to the mandrel as the nozzle and the mandrel approach and recede from each other, a conica entering member mounted upon vthe pilot for telescoping movement within the receiving seat, and a spring for normally holding the said entering portion in its extended position, the pilot being pro vided with a shoulder for stopping the said entering portion in its extended position.

22. The combination in apparatus of the class specified, of a mandrel, a fiexible sleeve and an inflating nozzle having a thin annular lip for entering between the end of the sleeve and the mandrel, and forming a receiving seat for the end of the sleeve.

- 23. The combination in apparatus of the class specified, of a mandrel, a flexible sleeve and an inflating nozzle having a thin annular lip for insertion between the end of the sleeve and the mandrel, and lhaving a pilot ortion for registering the said annular lip wlth the mandrel.

24. The combination in apparatus of the 125 class specified, of a mandrel, a exible sleeve and a portable inflating nozzle provided with.

a thin annular lip for entering between the end of the sleeve and the mandrel, and forming a receiving seat for the sleeve, the nozzle being proviclecl with a flexible ermeetion with a `supply of air pressure, and with a i pilot portion for registering the said lip with the mandrel.

-25. Means for Amounting flexible gasket tubes and dismounting the out. askets,l in.- oludin in combination a mandreI and a removab e flexible tube.. Y

26. Means for mounting gasket tubes for cutting," and subsequently removing the out gaskets,I including in combination a mandrel, and a removable flexible sleeve.

I 27. Means for mounting tubes of gasket material for cutting, and subsequently dismounting the out gaskets', el'ririi'igiii embi-V .15

the mandrel, and tor removal from the man- 20 drel.

In testimony-whereof I have signed my name to this specifica-tion in the-presence of two subscribing Witnesses v JOSEPH MERRITT.

Witnesses: p

NELLIE POENIX, CAROLINE M. BREQKLE 

